Convertible sleigh.



P. KAIPAINEI. CONVERTIBLE SLEIGH. APPLIGATION ILBD PEB. 2, 1914.

1,127,773, Patented Feb.9,1915.

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4a i Y P. KAIPAINBN.

CONVERTIBLE SLEIGH.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.2,1914.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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CONVERTIBLE "SLEIGH.

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'Specification of Letters Patent.

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Application led February 2,1914. Serial No. 815,942.

rThis invention relates to a convertible sleigh which is normallysupported upon runners and which is provided with wheels for use whenthe runners become impracticable.

Among the objects of my invention are the provision of improved meansfor securing the runners to the body of the sleigh in either operativeor inoperative position; the provision of arrangements whereby thewheels are moved into operative position simultaneously with themovement ofthe runners to inoperative position, and the provision ofmeans for yieldingly supporting the body when the wheels are in use.

With these objects in view my invention comprises certain features andcombinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and morespecifically pointed out in the appended claims. Y

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawings in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of my convertible sleigh with the wheels inoperative position; Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section showingthe runners in operative position; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the devicewith the parts in theY position shown in Fig. 2; Fig. et is a verticalsection taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a similarsection taken along the line -5-5 of Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawings the convertible sleigh comprises a body 10which may be of any desired form and which is normally supported upon apair of runners 11. The runners 11 are connected to the body 10 bydevices which may be described as sliding hinges, each of whichcomprises a bar 12 secured to a projection 13?eXtending laterally fromthe upper edge oi the runner 1v1. rlhe other member'of the sliding hingeis shown as a heavy piece of sheet material lei secured to the body 10and having its lower end in the form of an elongated loop. As shown inthe drawings one of these sliding hinges is provided at each end of eachrunner and the number of these hinges may be increased in properrelation to the ywork for which the sleigh is intended.

A Ushaped bar 15 is rigidly secured to the projection 13 upon each ofthe runners. When the runners are in operative position 'the bar 1 5projects through the floor of the body as is clearly shown in Fig. l. Asliding bolt 16 is secured to the bottom of the body by straps 17 and isthus mounted to slide transversely of the body. At one end the bolt 16is provided with a loop k1S which serves as a handle and beyond the loop18 the bolt has a returnvbend, thus providing `a portion 20 which is inline with the main Apart ofthe bolt but which is separated there-`runners in place.

The lateral projections v13 upon each of the runners also serve tosupport axles 21 upon which front and rear wheels 23 and 24 are freelyrotatable. Guards 24a may be provided in casethe wheels project abovethe parts 13. When it is desired to support the sleigh upon the wheels23 and 21 the bolt 16 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. L1,thusreleasing the U-shaped bars 15. The runners are then turned upon thesliding hinges to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. AdditionalU-shaped bars 25 are secured to the projections 13 and when the runnersare turned to the position shown in Fig. 5, the bars 25 project throughvertically elongated holes 26 in the side of the body 10.

A convertible sleigh constructed in accordance with my invention may beadapted to any convenient means of propulsion. It may be made in largesizes to be drawn by horses or other animals or it may be made insmaller sizes for manual. operation. In the latter form it readilyadapts itself for use as a baby carriage or sleigh.

A 4rod 2,7 is mounted for vertical movement upon the inner face of eachside of the body and when in its normal or lower position it projectsthrough the loop of the bar 25` and prevents its withdrawal through theholes 26. lt will be seen by reference to Fig. 5 that the connection ofthe runner to the body by the sliding hinges and by the bar 25 is suchas to prevent lateral disengagement but to permit free vertical movementof the runner relative to the body.

Springs 28 are mounted upon the outer side of each runner near the endsthereofl and brackets or studs 29 are provided upon the outer face of`each side of the body in such position that the springs 28 will contacttherewith when the wheels are in operative position. F rom thisarrangement it follows that the body is yieldingly supported when therunners are in inoperative position and the wheels are in use. ill/henthe runners are turned to their operative position, shown in Fig. Ll,the springs become inoperative, as it is not customary to support asleigh body upon springs when mounted upon its runners.

With the construction shown the change from a runner support to a Wheelsupport for the body can be made by simply releas ing the runners bymoving the sliding member 16 and then securing the runners in theirinoperative position by means of the bars l27. This manipulationsimultaneously brings the springs 28 into operative relation with thebrackets 29.

I have shown the body 10 as provided with a. rear seat 30 detachablysecured therein and having a back 3l pivoted to the body and secured innormal position by a latch 32. The sides of the body at their upper rearedges may be secured to each other by a cross bar 33. 1f it is founddesirable to transport long or heavy articles in the sleigh they may beeasily inserted from the rear by removing the seat 30 and swinging theback 31 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, I do not wish to be limited to thespecific details herein disclosed, as it is evident that many changesand modifications can be made therein Without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the claims', but

What I do claim is 1. A convertible sleigh having in combination a body,a pair ofl runners adjustably mounted on said body, means to secure saidrunners in either one of two positions, and

, wheels rotatably mounted on said runners and effective to support thebody when the runners are in inoperative position.

2. A convertible sleigh having in combination a body, a pair of' runnersconnected nation a body, a pair of runners connected to f said body bysliding hinges, means to rigidly secure said runners to said body in oneposition, additional means to secure said runners to said body in asecond position, said runners and said body being relatively movablewhen in said second position, and springs mounted on the runners toyieldingly resist said relative movement.

1l. A convertible sleigh having in combination a body, a pair ofrunners, means t0 secure said runners to said body in operativeposition, wheels mounted on said runners at right angles thereto, asliding connection to retain the runners substantially at right anglesto their operative position and to permit relative vertical movement ofsaid runners and body, springs on said runners, and brackets on saidbody cooperating with said springs to yieldingly resist relativevertical movement of said runners when the wheels are in operativeposition.

5. A convertible sleigh having in combination, a body, a pair of runnershinged to said body, wheels rotatably mounted on said runners, means tosecure said runners in inoperative position, yandv a single membermounted to slide transversely to said body and effective to lock both ofsaid runners in operative position.

6. A convertible sleigh having in combination, a body, a pair of runnersadjustably mounted on said body and each movable to two positions, meansto readily secure said runners to said body in one position, andadditional means to secure said runners to said body in the secondposition, said runners and said body being relatively yieldingly movablewhen in said second position.

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

PEKKA KAPAINEN lVitnesses z THA'I'CHER B. DUNN, FLORENCE L. Moons.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

